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Today (tuesday 13 March) I photographed an intersting fly, which looked a bit like a Tachina fera, but was much smaller. The abdomen was red-orange, see photo's. Size: ca 8 mm. Special features: large antennae. It moved its head rapidly, which was quite visible because of the protuding antennae. The wings bear one or a few spots.

It was visiting a willow with male catkins. The fly is covered with pollen, but I'm not sure it was feeding. On the contrary, I got the impression that it was looking for prey.

The photo's are taken in the Amstelveense Poel, a peatland area close to Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Partly woodland, partly rough meadow.

The quality of the photo's is below par, sorry for that. Clouds covered the sun when I was really after this guy. Also, the fly moved a lot from catkin to catkin, and was difficult to follow. Finally, it was a bit windy. Temp ca 15 C.

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another picture

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and a final one!

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i think Conopidae family.

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Hello!



Probably genus Myopa? I had those often very early in the year (April).

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Yep, Myopa.

It's very hairy and from very early spring, so it's bound to be Myopa vicaria, in my experience

Theo Zeegers

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It looks like a Myopa testacea to me: single outstanding black spot in the wing and thoracic dorsum black just before scutellum.